Australians - Where are you all????

[duckyfromoz]

I dont think I ever met a rooster that couldnt get a bit that way at some time or other. Maybe thats why I have always preferred waterfowl...drakes are so different. Nice to know birds bred here are appreciated elsewhere. Quarantine laws these days make it so hard to share anything anymore.

 

[wooklet]

Bad day for me today. Won't write to much or I'll start crying again! Had to put my 2 favourite Malays to sleep they've been sick for a long time and not only did I try everything for them, but it cost me a small fortune in vets' bills. To no avail, so the decision was made yesterday,and the deed done today. God,they break your hearts,don't they?
R.I.P." Salt " and "Pepper " xxxx

 

[duckyfromoz]

One for the loss of each., oh Wooklet- these birds of ours really do test us at times. Years ago I had a little fellow I found at the markets- he had a huge lump on his face. I took him to various vets- some helpful- others gave up hope as soon as they saw him. Sadly he did loose his fight for life in the end- but soon after came Harvey. How anyone could try to sell a duckling with a lump on its face like he had I dont know- It was reported to the RSPCA. Harvey is still running around the yard. After the diagnoses of a fatal affliction - 5 months on antibiotics- 3 operations, $1000 and a heck of a lot of attention and love Harvey was cured. Each time we learn a little more about what works and what helps when they arent well or not right- your beautiful birds brought you much joy and have given you an experience you will remember next time and the birds will benefit from what has been learned before.

Too soon to be those beautiful birds you just got from here on the mainland from what you wrote I hope...

 

[wooklet]

Thank you for your kind words, I do understand what you are saying,and I have learnt two important things from this - act FASt,and use the right vet,mine didn't know a thing about chickens and I was virtually having to tell her what to use on them,thanks to advice from an avian vet on another website! There is an avain vet in Hobart,a 6 hour return drive,but it would be worth it,these two were my pets,they were so much more than "just chickens"! As youu say, what we learn from one we use to help another,but experience is a hard teacher!

They are not the two I just got from Victoria! But it is thanks to them that I love Malays so much now. You may or may not remeber that I posted a picture of the 3 of them when they were only a few days old on this forum? There were 3 of them against a black background. I still have one,she never got sick at all,but poor thing must be so confused,she has only known them as company and now she is on her own. Malay hens are a bit different to other hens,like the roosters they could end in a SERIOUS fight with a new hen,so I will have to be very careful who I put her with!

People are very cruel to animals,as you said,selling a little duck with a big lump on its' face,they don't seem to realise that animals and birds do have feeling and senses, but I am so glad Harley made it - I don't begrudge any of my animals the money! And I know you don't either! Bless you!

 

[guinea fowl galore]

I'm so sorry wooklet.

Loosing our friends is so hard. At the beginning of my poultry journey the deaths made me think seriously about whether I really wanted to breed chickens. Going through all that pain is so so so hard. Luckily it has gotten easier for me. I don't believe we feel less pain, I think we just get stronger to handle the pain better

I hope you feel happier soon.

 

[wooklet]

Thank you Guninea Fowl,your words are much appreciated,and yes I have also gone through the doubts about having chickens! Hard to believe that one can get so attached to them, but I'll miss them heaps! Only animal people can understand! Thanks again.

 

[duckyfromoz]

Back to winter weather here in Melbourne... raining with a freezing wind coming down from the mountains...

Of to bed early to keep some ducklings warm

 

[wooklet]

We are under water again! The mud is horrendous and I have even moved the black silkies and Malay girls to temporary pens because theirs was flooded. Yeuk! Wishing for lots of Spring sunshine now.
I WILL,I promise post a pic of Harry tomorrow and - wait for it - Harriet! He has a lady at last. The neighbour who has 3 ducks very kindly gave me one as a companion for Harry,she is sweet,quite friendly and I have,as I said,named her Harriet. I really,really,really will post a pic tomorrow!
Still missing my Malays terribly, I put a new pullet in with the remaining hen,but I think she misses the other two,and follows me everywhere,even into the house - when John is not looking I let her in! Now she has taken to standing at the back door cackling to be let in! She's pretty handy for pecking up any crumbs that are around,a vacuum cleaner on legs!

 

[magicpigeon]

I'm off to watch Silent Witness. Mainly out of boredom, tere's nothing else good on TV lol! Anyone else sick of the rain and ready for summer?

 

[duckyfromoz]

YAY FOR HARRY!!!!! He will be so happy now. It was so lovely of your neighbour - do you still want those eggs??? maybe you could hatch some and offer some that you dont want to keep back to your neighbour as a gesture of thanks.

I read something on a friends facebook wall tonight.... one of those ones that asked you to repost... I usually dont - but this one really effected me tonight.

FOR ALL OF YOU WAITING IN HEAVEN:
I thought of you today, but that is nothing new. I thought about you yesterday, and days before that too.
I think of you in silence, I often speak your name. All I have are memories and a picture in a frame.
Your memory is a keepsake, from which I'll never part. God has you in his arms. I have you in my heart.
Put this as your status if someone you miss is in heaven ♥...

I thought of you and your malays when I read this- as well as some special people who I have lost recently.... ( Ducks and humans )

magic pigeon.. Its not been too bad here - but I am ready for winter to end at least... Im sure in 4-5 months we will all be posting about the heat and how we are over it as well then...